Interactions of posaconazole and flucytosine against Cryptococcus neoformans.

A checkerboard methodology, based on standardized methods proposed by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility testing, was applied to study the in vitro interactions of flucytosine (FC) and posaconazole (SCH 56592) (FC-SCH) against 15 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans. Synergy, defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of <0.50, was observed for 33% of the isolates tested.

Increased oxidative modification of albumin when illuminated in vitro in the presence of a common sunscreen ingredient: protection by nitroxide radicals.

We previously reported on the ability of dibenzoylmethane (DBM) and a relative, Parsol 1789, used as a ultraviolet A (UVA)-absorbing sunscreen, to generate free radicals upon illumination, and as a consequence, to inflict strand breaks in plasmid DNA in vitro. This study has now been extended to determine the effects of Parsol 1789 and DBM on proteins, under UVA illumination, with the sole purpose of gaining more knowledge on the photobiological effects of sunscreen chemicals. Parsol 1789 (100 microM) caused a 2-fold increase in protein carbonyl formation (an index of oxidative damage) in bovine serum albumin (BSA) when exposed to illumination, and this damage was both concentration- and time-dependent.

In-vitro activity of five antifungal agents against uncommon clinical isolates of Candida spp.

A broth microdilution method and an agar dilution method were used for testing fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, flucytosine and amphotericin B against 98 clinical isolates belonging to seven species of Candida. The approximate rank order of fluconazole MICs was Candida lusitaniae approximately Candida kefyr < Candida famata approximately Candida guilliermondii < Candida pelliculosa approximately C. lipolytica approximately Candida inconspicua.

Mutations affecting the expression of the MOX gene encoding peroxisomal methanol oxidase in Hansenula polymorpha.

In this study, aimed at identifying genetic factors acting positively upon the MOX gene, we report the isolation and characterisation of several methanol utilisation-defective (Mut-) mutants of Hansenula polymorpha. These fall into 12 complementation groups, eight of which show significant reductions in alcohol (methanol) oxidase activity in methanol. Three of these groups, identifying the MUT3, MUT5 and MUT10 loci, exhibit extremely low levels of MOX promoter activity, not only in methanol medium, but also during growth in glycerol or methylamine.

Madura's foot: report of a case caused by Madurella mycetomatis.

We present a case of mycetoma by Madurella mycetomatis on the foot of a Chinese young man, living in Italy for more than ten years. Clinically the lesion closely resembled and was initially misinterpreted as a vascular neoformation. We analyze the histological and morphological features of the Madurella mycetomatis infection through which we managed to type the etiological agent.

Specific interaction of cytosolic and mitochondrial glyoxalase II with acidic phospholipids in form of liposomes results in the inhibition of the cytosolic enzyme only.

Kinetics of cytosolic recombinant human glyoxalase II and bovine liver mitochondrial glyoxalase II were studied in the presence of liposomes made of different phospholipids (PLs). Neutral PLs such as egg phosphatidylcholine or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine did not affect the enzymatic activity of either enzymatic form. Liposomes made of dioleoyl phosphatidic acid or cardiolipin or phosphatidylserine also did not affect the enzymatic activity of mitochondrial glyoxalase II.

Aneurysm of a jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery in a patient with Marfan's syndrome.

A case of post-traumatic aneurysm of a jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery in a patient with Marfan's syndrome is reported. Ascending aortic involvement is well known in Marfan's syndrome but no association with visceral artery aneurysms has been previously described. The blunt abdominal trauma preceding the detection of the aneurysm may have been the precipitating cause in a predisposed patient.

Vanadate and copper induce overlapping oxidative stress responses in the vanadate-tolerant yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

The mechanisms by which vanadate exerts a toxic effect on living organisms are not completely understood. This is principally due to the variety of intracellular targets of the metal and to the changes in the chemical form and oxidation states that vanadate can undergo, both in the external environment and intracellularly. In order to further elucidate the reasons for vanadate toxicity, and assuming that common detoxification mechanisms can be evoked by a general heavy metal response, we have compared some aspects of the cellular responses to vanadate and copper in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

Experimental induction of fluconazole resistance in Candida tropicalis ATCC 750.

Candida tropicalis is less commonly isolated from clinical specimens than Candida albicans. Unlike C. albicans, which can be occasionally found as a commensal, C.

A satellite DNA containing CENP-B box-like motifs is present in the antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki.

The DNA of the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki was found to contain a highly repeated sequence identifiable upon restriction with endonuclease BglII. The monomeric unit - denominated pACS (about 170bp long) - was cloned. Southern blot hybridization yielded a ladder-like banding pattern, indicating that the repeated elements are tandemly arranged in the genome and therefore represent a sequence of satellite DNA.

Coxa pedis dysplasia in congenital convex pes valgus.

A dissection was carried out on bilateral congenital convex pes valgus in a newborn who died of congenital visceral malformations. The main finding was a modification in the neck-body relations of the talus. Nearly all muscles showed morphologic alterations.

[Retroperitoneal tumors].

The retroperitoneal tumors are seldom met in their several histological expressions. Authors totally considered 27 patients with retroperitoneal tumors and they were observed from 1975 to 1996: 21 of them were primitively cured in this Institute whereas 6 were affected with relapse or metastasis after a surgical approach which had been performed by other structures. Their operability resulted of 100% with an 87% resectability rate.

Molecular data from the 16S rRNA gene for the phylogeny of Pectinidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia).

The phylogenetic relationships among the species belonging to the family Pectinidae are still an issue of debate. The mitochondrial DNA sequences from the large ribosomal RNA gene may be of great value for systematic and phylogenetic studies within families. Partial sequences of the 16S rRNA gene were obtained for the scallop species Adamussium colbecki, Aequipecten opercularis, Chlamys glabra, C.

In vitro activities of the new antifungal triazole SCH 56592 against common and emerging yeast pathogens.

A broth microdilution method performed in accordance with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines was used to compare the in vitro activity of the new antifungal triazole SCH 56592 (SCH) to that of fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), and ketoconazole (KETO) against 257 clinical yeast isolates. They included 220 isolates belonging to 12 different species of Candida, 15 isolates each of Cryptococcus neoformans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and seven isolates of Rhodotorula rubra. The MICs of SCH at which 50% (MIC(50)) and 90% (MIC(90)) of the isolates were inhibited were 0.

Preoperative APACHE II and ASA scores in patients having major general surgical operations: prognostic value and potential clinical applications.

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of the APACHE II score and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification system in preoperative evaluation of patients.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital, Italy.

In-vitro interactions of itraconazole with flucytosine against clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Treatment failures can occur in AIDS patients infected with Cryptococcus neoformans, despite aggressive antifungal therapy. Combination regimens with additive or synergic drugs could provide additional options for treating cryptococcosis. We studied the effects of itraconazole combined with flucytosine against 16 strains of C.

[Urinary NMP22 as a new marker in patients with transitional cell carcinoma].

To evaluate urinary NMP22 dosage as a marker of urothelial tumours, we have selected a group of 90 patients (85 males and 5 females, mean age 66 years) with clinical suspicion of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), with microscopic or macroscopic hematuria, flank pain, urographic abnormalities and dysuria. All the patients have been evaluated by urinary cytology, renal and bladder ultrasound, cystoscopy. When a bladder tumour has been detected, bladder biopsies and, when required, I.

Infection due to Absidia corymbifera in a patient with a massive crush trauma of the foot.

We report the case of a patient with a massive crushing trauma of the right foot who developed a local infection due to Absidia corymbifera. Systemic and local antifungal therapy with ketoconazole associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) yielded a rapid clinical and microbiological resolution. Controlled clinical studies are warranted to further elucidate the potential utility of HBO/antifungal combination therapy.

In vitro activity of the new echinocandin antifungal, MK-0991, against common and uncommon clinical isolates of Candida species.

A broth macrodilution method, performed as recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, was used for comparative testing of the new echinocandin antifungal agent MK-0991 and fluconazole against 50 yeast isolates belonging to 12 species of Candida. MK-0991 was shown to be highly effective against both fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant Candida spp., yielding minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from < or = 0.

Electrophoretic karyotyping and triazole susceptibility of Candida glabrata clinical isolates.

A series of 35 strains of Candida glabrata isolated from 29 subjects (5 AIDS patients and 24 HIV-seronegative individuals) were typed by electrophoretic karyotyping and tested for their susceptibilities to both fluconazole and itraconazole. Almost every individual harboured his/her own specific isolate (DNA type). Neither the source of isolation nor the patient's HIV status was associated with a given DNA type.

Nitroxide radicals protect DNA from damage when illuminated in vitro in the presence of dibenzoylmethane and a common sunscreen ingredient.

Indolinonic nitroxide radicals efficiently scavenge oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals. They protect lipid and protein systems against oxidative stress, but little is known about their capacity to protect DNA against radical-mediated damage. We compare indolinonic nitroxides and the piperidines TEMPO and TEMPOL for their ability to inhibit strand breaks inflicted on DNA when it is illuminated in vitro in the presence of dibenzoylmethane (DBM) and a relative, Parsol 1789, used as a UVA-absorbing sunscreen.

Parietal seeding of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (VALC) represents the treatment of choice for the symptomatic gallstones. However the occurrence of an adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder results a controindication for this surgical technique. We present a case of a 52 years old woman who underwent a VALC; histology revealed a gallbladder adenocarcinoma.

Zanoli's procedure for overlapping fifth toe: retrospective study of 18 cases followed for 4-17 years.

Digitus quintus superductus pedis (overlapping fifth toe) is a congenital deformity, often bilateral, in which the fifth toe is medially directed, rotated and hyperextended. There is no consensus regarding the best treatment. We describe our experience using Zanoli's procedure, which is a tenodesis procedure using the extensor tendon of the fifth toe.

In vitro activity of terbinafine against clinical isolates of dermatophytes.

A broth macrodilution method following the recommendations established by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards was employed for testing terbinafine against 20 clinical isolates of dermatophytes belonging to seven species. The minimal inhibitory concentrations resulting in either 80% or 100% inhibition of growth, compared to growth in drug-free control tubes, ranged from View Article and Find Full Text PDF